68 drivers get underway in first stage of Jeddah Baja Toyota rally

JEDDAH: Sixty-eight drivers and navigators from more than 17 countries competed in the opening stage of the Jeddah Baja Toyota rally on Friday.
The first stage covered 395 kilometers, including 206 kilometers of timed special stage sections.
In the Ultimate B category, Yazeed Al-Rajhi and co-driver Timo Gottschalk topped the rankings in a time of 1 hour 48 minutes, 6 seconds, followed by Dania Akeel with 02:01:36 and Miroslav Zapletal on 02:02:28.
In the Ultimate category, Faris Almoshana led the field with a time of 02:21:22, ahead of Abdulaziz Alyaeesh (03:10:19) and Hussein Al-Lapid (03:37:39).
In the Stock category, Sufian Alomer took first place with a time of 02:27:18, with Khalaf Al-Shammari in second (02:48:11) and Majed Althunayyan third (03:18:40).
In the Challenger category, the top three were Hamad Al-Harbi (02:19:52), Saleh Alsaif (02:20:59) and Abdullah Alfahhad (02:29:14).
Top spot in the Side-by-Side category went to Hamza Bakhashab (02:02:42), followed by Maha Al-Hamali (02:11:34) and Mansour Al-Helei (02:12:42).
Teruhito Sugawara of Japan crossed the line first the Trucks category in a time of 02:20:52.
In the Motorbikes category, Abdul Halim Al-Mughirah was fastest with a time of 02:47:39, followed by Thomas Blackburn (02:50:15) and Abdulla Lanjawi (02:59:58).
In the Quads category, Hani Alnoumesi (02:52:03) led the way, ahead of Abdularahman Alabdullatif (03:53:31) and Merehin Albaz (05:01:11).
The second and final stage of the Jeddah Baja Toyota will take place on Saturday over a distance of 301 kilometers, including a 91 kilometer timed special stage.
The event is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and Jeddah Governorate, with support from official partners Jameel Motorsport and the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.